Electronic gaming machine with mystery reel feature

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for allowing a player to play a game on a gaming machine, the gaming machine having a main display and a user interface, the game having a main game and a bonus game, including the steps of: allowing the player to place a wager on the main game; playing the main game and randomly triggering a bonus game; actuating the bonus game and randomly generating a bonus game award; randomly generating a bonus game replay trigger; displaying the bonus game replay trigger along with the bonus game award, if the bonus game replay trigger is generated; repeating the foregoing steps with respect to the bonus game; awarding the player a bonus award including the bonus game award and any additional bonus game awards generated by the bonus game replay trigger.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/412,702, filed on Nov. 11, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to game devices, and more particularly to electronic gaming machine which receives a wager on an game and provides a payout and/or a bonus payout.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known to provide bonus awards or games or other types of secondary awards or games as an additional component to a casino game, such as a video slot machine. Typically, such bonus awards are awarded to the player when a special symbol appears, for example, on the reels of the video slot machine. In some games, once the special symbol appears, the player may be automatically awarded a bonus, such as a set amount of credits or a multiplier, and is then returned to the main game. New and exciting bonus games are always desired by gaming operators and players alike.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for allowing a player to play a game on a gaming machine, the gaming machine having a main display and a user interface, the game having a main game and a bonus game, comprising the steps of: allowing the player to place a wager on the main game; playing the main game and randomly triggering a bonus game; actuating the bonus game and randomly generating a bonus game award; randomly generating a bonus game replay trigger; displaying the bonus game replay trigger along with the bonus game award, if the bonus game replay trigger is generated; repeating the foregoing steps with respect to the bonus game; awarding the player a bonus award including the bonus game award and any additional bonus game awards generated by the bonus game replay trigger.

In some embodiments, the bonus replay trigger may occur a preset number of times only, and may be responsive to receipt of player input through a display or input device.

Some embodiments of the invention are also directed to a system configured for allowing a player to play a game on a gaming machine, comprising, an input device, processor, memory and display for: allowing the player to place a wager on the main game; playing the main game and randomly triggering a bonus game; actuating the bonus game and randomly generating a bonus game award; randomly generating a bonus game replay trigger; displaying the bonus game replay trigger along with the bonus game award, if the bonus game replay trigger is generated; repeating the bonus game as necessary; and awarding the player a bonus award including the bonus game award and any additional bonus game awards generated by the bonus game replay trigger.

The player interface may be a data input and/or data output device or a remote computer terminal, such as a home computer or mobile device with access to local or global network. The system and player input device or interface may be configured for providing the main and bonus games to players via an online system or the Internet. The processor may also be remotely located from the player interface. In some embodiments, the player interface, processor and display device may be mounted within a unitary housing, and the aforementioned system may be an electronic gaming machine or electronic platform including multiple data input devices providing player positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gaming machine for providing a game having a main game and a bonus, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the process steps in an embodiment of the invention for use with a gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of a display of the game method of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the process steps in another embodiment of the invention for use with a gaming machine; and

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of a display of the game method of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is generally directed to methods for playing and providing wagering games that include bonus or secondary game features and systems that are configured to provide for the interactive play of such wagering games.

In the illustrated embodiment, a gaming machine 10 has a main display 12 and a user interface 14. Interface 14 may be wholly or partially included in display 12, particularly if display 12 is a touch-enabled or touchscreen device. The user interface 14 may alternatively include one more buttons, card reader, bill reader, or other devices which enable a player to operate and interact with machine 10, including placing wagers, actuating game features and receiving credits, among other things. Machine 10 may also include additional displays, processing devices, programs, random number generating devices, a slot machine interface board (SMIB), memory, data input and output devices, and other components as necessary. For purposes of illustration, gaming machine 10 includes a data input/output or communication device 16 which is capable of communicating with display 12, a processor 18 and memory 20. Memory 20 may contain programs and information regarding the main and/or bonus game play which is processed by processor 18. Generally speaking, gaming machines 10 are known in the prior art and are therefore not discussed in further detail.

Alternatively, the gaming machine 10 may be a desktop computer, laptop or notebook computer, cell phone or other computing or mobile device which allows the player to place wagers and play the game. Such gaming machines 10 may be connected to a server computer or remote computer (not shown) to facilitate the wagering aspect of the present invention. The user interface 14 will depend on the type of gaming machine 10, and may include without limitation, buttons, touchscreens, a keyboard and/or a keypad.

In one aspect of the invention, the game has a main game and a bonus game. For example, the gaming machine 10 constructed may be an electronic gaming machine 10 which provides a main game on the main display 12. In one embodiment, the main game primarily involves a video slot game, that is, a game in which there is a virtual depiction of slot machine reels spinning on display 12 as in a slot machine with mechanically operating reels. However other types of main games, such as a video poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, or the like, may also be provided and operate in accordance with the invention as described in this embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method 50 configured in accordance with the invention to be provided by a gaming machine such as gaming machine 10. As shown in step 52, the player enters or otherwise places a wager and actuates the main game, typically through the selection of a button or use of the touchscreen portion of interface 14.

A bonus triggering event is configured to randomly occur in the main game, which may be governed by a random number generator used to generate outcomes of the main game or a separate random number generator, which may be based on coin-in values. A presentation may be provided on display 12 to indicate to the player that the bonus event has been triggered. Step 54 presumes the bonus game event is triggered in the main game.

In some embodiments, the bonus game may actuate automatically. In other embodiments, the bonus game actuates upon a player interaction with interface 14. In any embodiment, the bonus game actuates as shown in step 56 and a randomly determined bonus prize is indicated in step 58 on display 12.

The prize may be a monetary amount, gift or numerical multiplier for credits. The prize may also include an actuator for replaying the bonus game, receipt of which may be indicated to the player on display 12 through a unique presentation or symbol. As shown by step 60, should there be no bonus actuator received in the bonus game, then the bonus received, if any, is distributed to the player in step 62. A bonus prize of some kind may always be received in each bonus game in some embodiments.

In this embodiment, a bonus game replay actuator may be received with a bonus prize, and may be derived by a separate random number generator, such that it may be randomly determined and indicated in connection with any randomly determined bonus prize possible in the bonus game.

As shown by step 60, if the bonus game replay actuator is received then another bonus game is actuated in step 56. Method 50 continues and the bonus prize is randomly determined and indicated in step 58, and cumulatively added with the prior bonus won until the bonus game replay actuator is no longer received and the bonus prizes are distributed in step 62.

FIG. 3 provides an exemplary machine 110 with bonus game screen 122 on display 112 in which a player receives a bonus prize of “100” with a bonus game replay actuator symbol 124, indicating that the bonus prize of 100 is the multiplier of 25 credits. As shown by 126, which may be a button configured for actuating the additional bonus game. The bonus game is then replayed and another bonus is determined. In some embodiments, the bonus reel as shown in FIG. 3 may be stopped or appear to be stopped by player interaction with the bonus game through interface 114.

Method 150 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. A wager in the main game is received in step 152 and a bonus game is triggered and actuated in steps 154 and 156, respectively. In step 158 the bonus prize is indicated.

In step 160, if the bonus game replay actuator not received, the bonus prize, if any, is distributed in step 162. However, if the bonus game replay actuator is received, then as shown in steps 164 and 166, a query is made to the player, which may be via display 12, as to whether the player wishes to replay the bonus game or receive the bonus. The player may respond through player interface 14. Should the player wish to keep the bonus rather than replay the bonus game, the bonus is distributed as shown by step 162. Should the player wish to replay the bonus game, then the bonus game is replayed and actuated in step 156, and the resulting bonus is indicated in step 158.

In some embodiments, the player is only provided with the opportunity to replay the bonus game for a preset number of rounds. Thus, after reaching the preset number, the bonus actuator will be removed from the possible outcomes in the bonus game. In the embodiments discussed herein, the bonus replay actuator results in another randomly-determined bonus prize which is provided to the player in lieu of the prior bonus prize as indicated to the player. In other embodiments, the bonus replay actuator results in a cumulative bonus prize which is added to any prior bonus prize randomly determined and received prior thereto. It should be readily apparent that the bonus prizes may be the same or differ, prior to and after replay is actuated. Also, the bonus game may be the same or differ. In other words, the player may be queried in step 64 as to whether they wish to play the same bonus game over or try their luck at another bonus game which differs from the first. While the second bonus game may visually differ from the first, the odds of winning certain bonuses may be the same of different as the first game. bonus game.

FIG. 5 provides an exemplary machine 210 with bonus game screen 222 on display 212 in which a player receives a bonus prize of “100” with a symbol 224, indicating that the bonus prize of 100 is the multiplier of 25 credits. A player is given the option to either accept the bonus by pressing 226, in which case the bonus game ends, or replay the bonus game by pressing 228, in which case a new bonus game is played and prize is randomly determined which will be indicated on screen 222.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to an electronic gaming machine, such as a slot machine, including various components, such as a display device, memory, processor, random number generator, data input device, currency detector, card reader, etc., mounted in a housing. However, it is within the spirit and scope of this invention to utilize the methods described herein in other ways, such as for example, via online gaming sites, networked systems, personal computers or mobile devices.

In some embodiments, the invention is directed to an electronic gaming machine having a display device and a game control device operatively associated with a memory and configured to control images displayed on the display device. The game control device provides for interactive play of a main or underlying wagering game including generating the display of one or more random events on the display device, among other things, wherein a prize is awarded if a random event matches one or more preset winning criteria.

In some aspects of the aforementioned embodiments, the game control device further provides for the play of a secondary or bonus game. The secondary or bonus game may be actuated upon the satisfaction of one or more preset criteria. The one or more preset criteria may be satisfied by a random determination made at specific intervals or actuated by a triggering event. The triggering event may be related to, or a function of, the occurrence of one or more events in the underlying game. The one or more events which are associated with the triggering event may be preset prior to play of the game or randomly selected during play of the game. For example, the preset criteria may relate to the occurrence of a particular random event during play of the underlying game, such as the appearance of particular symbol.

In some aspects of the aforementioned embodiments, the system is configured to provide a bonus game upon detecting the occurrence of a randomly triggered event in the underlying game which satisfies the bonus game criteria. The bonus game may require additional credits or currency or be freely provided at no extra cost to the player playing the underlying game. The triggering event for the bonus game may or may not also correspond to a winning event in the underlying game.

In some embodiments, the bonus game involves the presentation of at least one spinning prize reel on the display device that includes a plurality of symbols wherein each symbol is associated with a winnable prize. In some embodiments, some player interaction received by the system, such as touching a button or portion of a touch-enabled display device, causes the spinning prize reel to appear to spin and stop upon a particular symbol associated with a specific prize. The prize may include anything of value, such as one or more goods or services, currency or credit, a jackpot, one or more free games, repeat wins or some other feature.

In some embodiments, the player may choose whether to receive the specific prize or spin the prize reel again to attempt to achieve a different prize. Alternatively, the player may be offered the opportunity to select from a plurality of prize reels. The prize may comprise a retrigger event, that is, wherein the player is provided one or more additional chances to spin the reel, win additional free games or is provided with the opportunity to win a different or additional prize through another feature or bonus game, which may be the same or different from the spinning prize reel described herein.

In some embodiments, the player may be provided with the ability to stop the prize reel after the prize reel begins spinning through a player input device or touch screen display device. The stopping action may be associated with player input, in that the prize reel stops when the player input is detected or within a short period of time thereafter. In other embodiments, the stopping action may be unrelated to the ultimate outcome of the prize reel in that the determination of the symbol (and thus, the prize) has been randomly determined upon receiving the player input that caused the reel to appear to spin.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the methods described herein may be incorporated in a system in accordance with the invention using virtual representations of game features such as spinning reels, buttons, symbols and animated objects. The system of the invention may include various computer and network related software and hardware, such as programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, input/output devices, processors, servers with links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving terminals, and may be a standalone device or incorporated in another platform, such as a mobile device. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are not vital to the full implementation of the methods of the invention so long as players, users and/or operators thereof are provided with useful access thereto and the opportunity to play the game as described herein.

While exemplary methods and applications of the methods of the invention have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the present invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. 

1. A method for allowing a player to play a game on a gaming machine, the gaming machine having a main display and a user interface, the game having a main game and a bonus game, comprising: i. allowing the player to place a wager on the main game; ii. playing the main game and randomly triggering a bonus game; iii. actuating the bonus game and randomly generating a bonus game award; iv. randomly generating a bonus game replay trigger; v. displaying the bonus game replay trigger along with the bonus game award, if the bonus game replay trigger is generated; vi. repeating steps (iii)-(v); and vii. awarding the player a bonus award including the bonus game award and any additional bonus game awards generated by the bonus game replay trigger.
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of repeating steps (iii)-(v) occurs a preset number of times if a bonus game replay trigger is generated.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the preset number is one.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of repeating steps (iii)-(v) is responsive to receipt of player input.
 5. A system configured for allowing a player to play a game on a gaming machine, comprising, an input device, processor, memory and display for: viii. allowing the player to place a wager on the main game; ix. playing the main game and randomly triggering a bonus game; x. actuating the bonus game and randomly generating a bonus game award; xi. randomly generating a bonus game replay trigger; xii. displaying the bonus game replay trigger along with the bonus game award, if the bonus game replay trigger is generated; xiii. repeating steps (iii)-(v); and xiv. awarding the player a bonus award including the bonus game award and any additional bonus game awards generated by the bonus game replay trigger.
 6. A system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the input device, processor, memory and display are further configured for repeating steps (iii)-(v) a preset number of times if a bonus game replay trigger is generated.
 7. A system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the input device, processor, memory and display are mounted in a unitary housing. 